SCO summit kicks off in Astana with Belarus joining association
The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) kicked off Thursday in Astana, with Belarus officially becoming a member of the association.
The summit began with an official ceremony where all relevant documents for the country’s membership were signed.
“Dear heads of state, a decision on the full membership of the Republic of Belarus in the SCO has been made,’’ Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced, congratulating Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Mr Lukashenko noted that Minsk would strive to expand the SCO’s influence and broaden its circle of allies and supporters.
The SCO summit is currently being held in Astana, showcasing the unity and cooperation among its member states, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye.
Turkmenistan, the SCO secretary-general, and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure executive director are also in attendance.
(Xinhua/NAN)
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